I had multiple issues with DVD drives that could write but then it would not work on any other DVD readers or don’t work at all even on the writer drive. And other way around. They are just to damn delicate, especially those you have in your laptops.
I would try to write the disk with slower speeds as it could improve it somehow like less vibrations or more laser burns.
But in your case l would check if that person does have a TV or even DVD player that could read from USB, or buy them some smart set top box with jellyfin/Plex/Disney+/…